THE PUBLIC-HEALTH IMPACT OF IRRITANT CONTACT-DERMATITIS

The public health impact of a disease can be measured using statistica l, clinical, and economic measures. Three factors point out the import ance of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) as a disease having a public health impact-1) ICD is common; 2) ICD often has a poor prognosis; an d 3) ICD results in a noteworthy economic impact for society and for a n individual as it affects vocational and avocational activities. It i s also a disease amenable to public health interventions.